Simon Habergham jas joined our chaplaincy team bringing counselling and psychotherapy expertise to the team.

Here, he sets out his thoughts on the job ahead.

" I think the first thing to say is that this is my first chaplaincy post and so I see the coming weeks a great challenge and a steep learning curve, I work one day per week on Fridays.  The last ten years of my life has been involved with counselling and psychotherapy. I currently work part time for South West Yorkshire  Foundation Trust (SWYFT) in the Pastoral and Spiritual Care Department where I work as a Counsellor. I have been in this post for eight years. I have also just finished (in October ) working for Bradford District Care Trust where I worked part time  as a Psychological Therapist for two years. Previous to this I spent several years working as a housing officer for housing associations in  the West Midlands. I have done advice work and education work in the past also.

"I feel that Chaplains have an important role to play in modern  health care. Being in hospital can raise many different issues for patients and I feel having someone to offer spiritual  support should be an important part of holistic healthcare. Many studies are now beginning to show that when patients have access to spiritual care this can have significant effects on recovery times after operative procedures for example.

"In my chaplaincy post my duties will include general pastoral work such as ward visits. I will also be carrying out baby funerals. I will also be involved in project work such as developing the departments closer to home strategy and developing a stress reduction programme.   

"My out of work interests include walking (with my dog) and photography. I am also  a very keen cyclist  and find that a combination of bike and train can get me to most places, including work."

Big welcome to Simon!